During the Thanksgiving season you can give thanks by naming all the things for which you are thankful. You can go one step further and outwardly demonstrate your gratitude by giving something to others through volunteering. Giving your time to a cause or dedicating time to another individual shows that you acknowledge your own blessed state and have excess to give. The great thing about volunteering is that no matter how much or how little you have, you can always positively impact someone else’s day. Volunteering is a great year-round activity, but it especially comes to mind during the holiday season. The desire to volunteer is often a response to the recognition of the abundance in one’s own life. If you want to volunteer this Thanksgiving season, we want to help! We’ve rounded up information on a few places where you can volunteer this Thanksgiving in the Houston and Austin areas.
Houston
The Holiday Project
For many people, the holidays are spent surrounded by family and friends. However, others are not so lucky and need to be reminded that they haven’t been forgotten. The Holiday Project organizes groups of volunteers to visit nursing facilities and hospitals on holidays so they can brighten the lives of others. For more information: http://volunteerhouston.org/holiday-project/.
Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade
Volunteering on Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be limited to serving food or visiting others. You can also participate in some of the major festivities like the annual Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade which benefits Neighborhood Centers’ seniors and youth populations. The Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade is a tradition which began back in 1949! Over 200,000 people come to see the stunning showcase of sensational floats, high-flying balloons, marching bands, artistic entries and live entertainment. You can find more info about volunteering at the parade here: http://www.houstontx.gov/thanksgivingparade/volunteer.html.
Turkey Trot
Just like the annual Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Turkey Trot also benefits Neighborhood Centers’ seniors and youth populations. The Turkey Trot will occur at the Galleria Mall and over 15,000 participants will race on Thanksgiving morning. If you want to be a part of this event, find more info here: http://www.volunteerhou.org/event/detail/?event_id=22756.
Operation Turkey
Whether you want to cook, package or deliver food, Operation Turkey is a non-profit effort in several states that provides food to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. There are volunteer opportunities in both the Houston and Austin areas. Both cities have a Turkey Tailgate event where the turkeys are smoked on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and food preparation, packaging, and delivery events on Thanksgiving Day. If you want to volunteer for Operation Turkey in Houston, go here:http://www.operationturkey.com/schedule/houston/.
Austin
The Turkey Tailgate event and Thanksgiving Day volunteer opportunities for Operation Turkey are also available in Austin. If you want to volunteer for Operation Turkey in Austin, go here: http://www.operationturkey.com/schedule/austin/.
The Feast of Sharing
The Feast of Sharing is the largest community Thanksgiving meal in Austin. H-E-B and United Way for Greater Austin are the annual sponsors of this long-time event. This giant meal will feed over 14,000 Central Texans and occurs on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. If you are interested in volunteering, go here: http://www.handsoncentraltexas.org/aem/general/event/?doc_id=2215.
Giving City Austin
Giving City Austin has also done a wonderful job of compiling several Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities in Austin. From the Thundercloud Sub’s Turkey Trot to the Empty Bowl Project, you can easily find a great volunteer fit your yourself or your whole family. Find the whole list here: http://www.givingcityaustin.com/takeaction/list-of-2015-thanksgiving-volunteer-opportunities-in-austin/.
We hope you will take some time to volunteer for one of these great causes this Thanksgiving season!
Original Source: https://squarecowmovers.com/volunteer-in-hs-thanksgiving/